Conny Vandenbos (16 January 1937 - 7 April 2002) was a popular Dutch singer. She had her first radio hit in 1966 and continued to make hit recordings through the 1970s. Notably, in her later career she released an entire album of Janis Ian songs in 1980.
Conny Vandenbos was born Jacoba Adriana Hollestelle in The Hague, the Netherlands. She made her solo debut in the KRO-Springboard radio show, a show case for young talent, in which she performed French chansons. After her performance in the Belgian Knokkefestival of 1961 Conny signed a recording contract at Philips Phonogram. In 1964 she made a television series Zeg Maar Conny (Call me Conny) for the Dutch public broadcaster NCRV.
In 1965 she represented the Netherlands in Naples, Italy, at the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song 't Is genoeg (It's Enough); the Netherlands placing eleventh. A year later Vandenbos finally achieved chart success with her first hit single , Ik Ben Gelukkig Zonder Jou (I am happy without you). In the early 1970s Conny parted company from Phonogram Records and signed with Basart Records in January 1973. During her contract at Basart several album were released and her singles charted frequently in the Dutch Hit Charts. In this period she covered many well known foreign songs with Dutch lyrics, including a complete album of songs by Janis Ian titled Conny Vanderbos Zingt Janis Ian. The duet with Janis Ian Don't Leave Tonight reached number 17 in the Dutch charts in December 1980.[1]
In 1976 she received an Edison Golden Harp for the album Zo Wil Ik Leven. In 1993 she was awarded a gold disc for her album 14 Grootste Hits Van Conny Vandenbos. In the 1990s she presented radio programs, including Radio Radio North Sea and West. In 2000 there was a tile of her placed in the Rotterdam Walk Of Fame.
Conny Vandenbos first marriage was to Wim van den Bos together they had a daughter Karin. Her second marriage was to the bass player from the Leedy Trio, Ger Faber; they had one son, Jeroen.
Conny Vandenbos died in Amsterdam on 7 April 2002, two weeks after it was announced that she was suffering from lung cancer.
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Anneke Grönloh with "Jij bent mijn leven" |
Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965 |
Succeeded by Milly Scott with "Fernando en Filippo" |